Airport Overview
Cherry Capital Airport (KTVC) is the primary commercial and general aviation airport for Northern Michigan, sitting just two nautical miles southeast of downtown Traverse City. Owned by the Northwest Regional Airport Commission, it pairs scheduled airline service with a busy general aviation operation, recording over 100,000 aircraft operations in recent years across general aviation, air taxi, scheduled, and military traffic.
Runway Capability
The airport's primary Runway 10/28 spans 7,016 feet of asphalt, with the crosswind Runway 18/36 at 5,378 feet. That length, combined with an ILS Cat I and RNAV (GPS) approaches at a 624-foot elevation, supports the full range of light through super-midsize business jets and most heavy jets with standard performance planning.
Charter Considerations
Traverse City is a seasonal resort market. Summer wine-country tourism, the National Cherry Festival, and fall color season drive sharp spikes in private-jet demand, tightening aircraft and ramp availability. Booking 7 to 14 days ahead through peak periods secures better selection and pricing; AvFlight should be contacted in advance for parking during high-traffic weekends.
Safety & Planning
KTVC is a towered field with an ILS Cat I approach to Runway 28, allowing low-visibility arrivals when Lake Michigan fog or winter lake-effect snow lowers ceilings. Crews should plan for contaminated-runway performance and de-icing in winter, and factor afternoon convective activity in summer. The two-runway layout provides crosswind flexibility off Grand Traverse Bay.
Customs & International
Cherry Capital Airport does not have on-field U.S. Customs and Border Protection service. International flights must clear at a designated port of entry such as Detroit Metropolitan (DTW) before continuing to TVC, or arrange CBP coordination accordingly. Domestic charter operates without restriction.
Regional Context
TVC is the air gateway to Northern Michigan's Grand Traverse region, including downtown Traverse City, the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, area wineries, and Lake Michigan resort communities. Smaller relievers such as Antrim County (KACB) and Kalkaska sit nearby, but TVC's runway length, FBO, and instrument approaches make it the practical choice for jet travelers to the area.